Marriage is an important life event in every culture and while we know that getting married can be both exciting and stressful it’s something that we most of us plan for. Getting married in countries like the U.K and the U.S usually involves a ceremony and visiting a government office to sign for your marriage certificate. For marriages between citizens of the same country this process is usually fairly simple, however when you are considering marrying an international partner the process can become significantly more complicated. One example is getting married in China. You’ll find many online sites, including embassy sites and law offices, which discuss the steps you’ll need to follow when marrying a Chinese citizen. In this article we are going to cover the basics for U.S citizens marrying in China.
First Step: Familiarize yourself with the Process
Visiting the official U.S Embassy website and checking the information in their “Getting Married in China” section can help you see some of the requirements that may be required when you go to register for your marriage certificate. You can visit the official site here:
Some of the requirements may include:
1) Photos of you and your partner together
2) Wedding photos (specific requirements vary by region)
3) A signed certificate of marriageability
4) A registration fee
5) Passport with a valid Chinese visa
Step 2: Ask the local government office for their requirements
When you get married in China you will be required to register in the city where your partner’s residence permit (Hukou) is located. In some cases where a Hukou is located in the countryside you may be asked to visit a larger city that is responsible for processing marriages to foreigners. Once you find out which office to visit it helps to call them in advance and check their requirements. A smaller city may have very different standards for marriage than the city of Beijing.
In many cases you’ll be asked to provide:
1) Passport with valid Chinese visa
2) Certificate of Marriageability
3) Wedding photo (following the specifications for your partner’s area)
Step 3: Schedule an appointment with the Embassy for your Marriageability Certificate
It’s very important that you schedule your appointment early especially if you apply through a U.S Embassy in a large city. These appointment spots fill up quickly. When you visit you’ll need to have the following information on hand:
1) Your intended spouse’s national ID Number
2) Your intended spouse’s name
3) The name of your intended spouse’s home town (or registered residence)
4) Your intended spouse’s birthdate
5) Your intended spouse’s home address in her home town (not always necessary)
6) A Pen with Black Ink (if you fill the form out at home — make sure to only use black ink)
Your embassy will ask you to confirm that you are not currently married and that if you have been married you are now legally divorced. Once you make these affirmations you’ll be given an official document stating your marriageability.
Step 4: Take your Marriage Photos
Wedding photos in China are official photos that you will need to present to the officials when requesting your marriage certificate. The requirements for these photos vary by region so it’s a good idea to have your photos taken by a large photography franchise or someone who can research the requirements in your local area.
Step 5: Visit the Local Government Office and Register your Marriage
Once you visit the local government office for marriage registration you’ll be able to provide your materials and officially tie the knot. This is only the beginning as there are many unofficial wedding traditions in China which even include carrying your wife away from her family as they all try to stop you from going forward. More of these traditions will be featured in future blog posts.
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